SWABI: The price of a 20-kg wheat flour bag has been increased by Rs400, which is likely to put additional financial burden on poor consumers, said both consumers and traders here on Thursday.

Consumers in district headquarters Swabi said that a 20kg flour bag was available at Rs3,000 three days back, but now a consumer will have to pay an additional Rs400 to acquire the same quantity.

Traders said they were compelled to increase the flour prices as flour mills charged them higher rates. They maintained that they passed on the increased costs to consumers, selling flour at prices reflecting the rates charged by local flour mills.

Yasir Khan, president of traders in district headquarters Swabi told Dawn that low category flour is available in the market at Rs3,000 per 20kg bag and the best quality of the same quantity at Rs3,500.

“Across the district headquarters, the traders would not be allowed to overcharge the consumers and they were monitoring the situation in all markets,” he remarked.

“The government should regulate wheat flour prices, as they have already started rising and are likely to increase further,” said Abdul Majid Khan, a resident of the Maneri Bala area.

The prices of all other varieties of the flour have also been increased, while further hike in the price of the flour cannot be ruled out.

However, a district administration official said wheat flour supplies from Punjab were expected to resume soon, which would help stabilise prices.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026